AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

Hi, it's been sub 0 here some nights and my latest clutch included a very small chick. Looked a little splayed, but when I taped his legs he just went belly up and couldn't get up. He is 10 days old now and is stronger and getting around ok, but is still a little tumbley and stands on his hocks. The others are big and strong.
Any suggestions as to cause or treatment?
Thanks!

try spliting the legs but at that age now I don't like your chances, good luck

Thanks, I'll have a crack at it. The chick was hatched and under its Mum for a couple of days before I realised it was having trouble. I've also put it on calcium di-phosphate and protexin to try to build its strength.
Tanglefoot

VITAMIN B2 (RIBOFLAVIN) DEFICIENCY IN CHICKENS
riboflavin (Vitamin B2) is a water-soluble vitamin and a cofactor for various enzymes in many systems of the body. Some of the cofactors are important in the oxidation-reduction reactions involved in cell respiration. Riboflavin deficiency is most commonly reported in chickens but it also has been reported in turkeys and pigeons. Deficiency of riboflavin in chickens can cause peripheral neuropathy, resulting in a condition called "curled-toe paralysis." Other clinical signs due to riboflavin deficiency include weakness, slow growth, loss of weight, leg paralysis without curled-toes and walking on hocks with the aid of their wings. Riboflavin deficiency in the hen can result in decreased egg production, increased embryonic mortality and poor hatchability. Among various nutritional deficiencies, chickens are most sensitive to riboflavin deficiency. ...........................Clinical signs in the chickens included paralysis, walking on hocks and occasionally walking on their wings. The incidence of clinical signs in various flocks ranged from 20 percent in one flock to 40 percent in another. Other signs included splayed legs, abnormal droppings,uneven size of birds and increased mortality. Gross lesions included curled-toes in most submissions but distinctly absent in a few. The sciatic nerves were pale yellow, edematous and mild to moderately enlarged with a loss of cross striations. Long bones were soft in birds from several submissions. Microscopic examination of the peripheral nerves revealed axonal degeneration, interstitial edema and proliferation of mononuclear cells and infiltration of lymphocytes.
Analysis of several feed samples for riboflavin revealed levels ranging from 1.1 mg/kg to 2.4 mg/kg of feed. Normal requirement of riboflavin for broiler chickens ranges from 4.6 mg/kg to 5.0 mg/kg of feed. Prompt supplementation of birds with multiple vitamins resulted in dramatic reduction in clinical signs for most birds."

Whenever you see leg problems in birds you should always give a (complete) B vitamin supplement... POLYVISOL lacks B-1 but in this case (B-2) is a good source ... be sure to give breeder birds a complete supplement in their feed to avoid possible problems.

http://cahfs.ucdavis.edu/annual_reports/2004ar.pdf

Thanks so much South Carolina. Very informative, and sounds spot on. Googled POLYVISOL and it appears to be an infant supplement - is that right?
Didn't think the hens should be lacking anything. They receive 3 brands of complete layer mix (their tastes differ, so I make sure they all have their favourite), and twice a week they get as much organic baby spinach and mixed lettuce as they can eat, plus whatever is in season - cherry tomatoes, caulies, silverbeet etc (I work at an organic vege farm).
Will give the polyvisol a go - hopefully it will help.
Thanks again.
Tanglefoot

I hope all goes well and it fully recovers

Thanks South Carolina.

Your welcome - Yes POLYVISOL is an infant supplement and good for B-2